Richmond is one of several cites announced as finalists for minor league hockey. The Northern Professional Hockey League (NPHL) is set to start their inaugural season later this year. On Monday, the league’s commissioner, Chuck Harrison, released a list of prospective cities under consideration based upon a NPHL-commissioned study:

Charleston, WV

Flint, MI

Greensboro, NC

Huntington, WV

Johnstown, PA

Pikeville, KY

Richmond, VA

Roanoke, VA

“These cities showed interest and our study determined that the NPHL’s vision and model would work in these areas,” wrote Commissioner Harrison in a message published on the NPHL website. Harrison stressed that these locations are not firm in their plans to host teams: “In some markets, the NPHL needs to find interested investors to become owners – ones who adhere to our vision and model,” wrote Harrison. “In other markets, we have to secure building leases.”

According to the NPHL website, “The purpose of the NPHL is to develop a league that will give opportunities for individuals to develop their skills and move to higher level of sports organizations. Players, but also coaches, trainers, equipment people, marketing people, etc. It is the goal of the NPHL to become a stable league, with stable teams that become an accepted and welcomed part of their communities.”

Richmond’s last minor league hockey team, the Renegades, were apart of the still-running Southern Professional Hockey League until 2009. The NPHL will operate as a self-contained Double ‘A’ free agent hockey league. Play is tentatively scheduled to begin in October 2012.